Device for flexing shoes



Jan. 23, 1962 w. MULHOLLAN DEVICE FOR FLEXING SHOES Filed March 13, 1961 United States Patent 3,017,644 DEVICE FOR FLEXING SHOES Frank W. Mulhollan, 230 Keilman St., Dyer, Ind. Filed Mar. 13, 1961, Ser. No. 95,342 15 Claims. (Cl. 12-411) This invention is a novel device or means for flexing a pair of shoes so as to provide therefor a condition of flexibility which will promote comfort to the wearer of the shoes; and the main object of the invention is to provide a simple, novel and efficient device or means having novel features of construction hereinafter set forth.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates one practical embodiment thereof, to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same, and will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the device showing a pair of shoes operatively positioned thereon, a portion of the top of the casing being shown partly in section.

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the device shown partly in section.

As shown, my novel device or means for flexing shoes comprises a substantially rectangular casing consisting of parallel sides 1 and 2, parallel ends 3 and 4, a bottom 5, and a top 6, said casing housing the operating parts. In top 6 adjacent the end wall 4 is a rectangular opening 6a of width approximating the combined width of the ball portion of a pair of shoes, and of length somewhat greater than the length of the sole from the toe to the ball portion of a shoe.

Within opening 6a is a rectangular plate 7 somewhat smaller than the opening 6a and substantially closing the same, plate 7 being hinged at one end, as at 7a, adjacent and parallel to one edge of the opening 6a, whereby the plate 7 may be swung from substantially horizontal position forming a continuation of top plate 6 into the inclined position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2, plate 7 being normally yieldably urged towards bottom plate by a tensile spring 8 having its ends secured to bottom plate 5 and to the underside of plate 7 respectively.

Journaled in suitable bearings substantially beneath the free end of the plate 7 is a shaft 9 which carries a cam 10, FIG. 2, the edges of which normally support the plate 7 when the cam 10 is in the position shown in FIG. 2, a suitable rubbing or cushioning strip 11 being provided on the bottom of plate 7 in way of cam 10, whereby as the shaft 9 is rotated the cam 10 will swing or revolve in the direction of the arrows 12, FIG. 2, to cause the plate 7 and the vamp of the shoe supported thereby to be pivoted upwardly on pivots 7a and assume the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2, thereby flexing the sole of the shoe at the ball portion thereof. When the cam 10 reaches the highest point and further rotates, the spring 8 will obviously restore the plate 7 to its normal horizontal position until the plate 7 is again actuated by cam 10.

In order to rotate shaft 9 -I provide in the casing, at the side remote from the opening 6a, a motor 13 of any desired type, the shaft 13a of which carries a pulley 14 over which runs a belt 15 which also runs over a pulley 16 on the driven shaft 17a of a speed reducing mechanism 17, which mechanism is provided with a driving shaft 18 carrying a pulley 19 around which runs a belt 20 which also runs around a pulley 21 fixedly mounted on shaft 9 of cam 10. Thus when motor 13 is activated the shaft 9 will be driven through speed reducing gearing 17 to rotate the cam 10 in the direction of the arrows 12, FIG. 2. In order to protect the workmen from injury by cam 10 during its rotation, I provide a hood 22 3,017,644 Patented Jan. 23, 1962 of substantially arcuate length mounted upon the cover plate 6, the cam 10 passing thereunder while rotating.

In operation, a pair of shoes S is provided with hinged shoe trees or lasts L, and the pair of shoes is placed upon the cover plate 6, the last being held down by means of a flexible elastic strap 23 which is secured by clamps 24 or the like at each end and at its middle to cover plate 6 adjacent the opening 6a, the vamp portion of the shoes S resting upon the plate 7 and being held in place by means of a flexible elastic strap 25 which has its ends secured by rivets or the like 26 to the plate 7, whereby the Vamps of the shoes S will be maintained in firm contact with the plate 7. Thus the pair of shoes, the soles of which are to be flexed, will be firmly held down upon the cover plate 6 and hinged plate 7, and when motor 13 is activated the vamp portions of the pair of shoes will be alternately raised and lowered by means of contact of plate 7 by the cam 10, and the action of spring 8, thus providing mechanical means for flexing the sole of the shoe so as to provide therefor a condition of flexibility and to promote comfort to the wearer of the shoes. During flexing of the sole the strap 23 will hold the heel portions of the shoes firmly in contact with the top plate 6.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawing, for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. Means for flexing a shoe comprising a base of width greater than that of a shoe, a plate hinged to the base adjacent one edge thereof; a shaft on said base below the end of the plate opposite from the hinge; a cam on said shaft adapted to contact the underside of the plate and maintain same substantially normally in the plane of said base; means yieldably depressing the plate; means for rotating the shaft whereby the cam will pivot the plate upwardly with respect to the base; means for holding a shoe at the heel portion thereof firmly down on the base and other means for holding the vamp portion of the shoe held firmly down on said plate during rotation of the shaft.

2. In means as set forth in claim 1, a rubbing strip on the bottom of the plate in way of the cam.

3. In means as set forth in claim 1, said depressing means comprising a spring under tension connecting the plate and the base.

4. :In means as set forth in claim 1, said shaft rotating means comprising a motor, a speed reducing mechanism driven by said motor, and drive means connecting the speed reducing mechanism with the shaft.

5. In means as set forth in claim 1, said holding means comprising a flexible elastic strap having its ends secured to the base and adapted to overlie the heel portions of the shoes and said other holding means comprising another flexible elastic strap having its ends secured to the plate and adapted to overlie the vamp portions thereof.

6. Means for flexing a pair of shoes comprising a casing having a top provided with an opening of width greater than that of a pair of shoes, a plate hinged to the top adjacent one side of the opening and adapted to normally close the opening; a shaft in said casing below the end of the plate opposite from the hinge; a cam on said shaft adapted to contact the underside of the plate and maintain same substantially in the plane of said top; means yieldably depressing the plate; means for rotating the shaft whereby the cam will pivot the plate upwardly with respect to the top; means for holding a pair of shoes at the heel portion thereof firmly down on the top, and other means for holding the vamp portion of the shoes firmly down onto said plate, during rotation of the shaft.

7. In means as set forth in claim 6, a hood on said top under which the cam is adapted to pass during its rotation.

8. In means as set forth in claim 6, a rubbing strip on the bottom of the plate in way of the cam.

9. In means as set forth in claim 6, said depressing means comprising a spring under tension connecting the plate and the bottom of the casing.

10. In means as set forth in claim 6, said shaft rotating means comprising a motor, a speed reducing mechanism driven by said motor, and drive means connecting the speed reducing mechanism with the shaft.

11. In means as set forth in claim 6, said holding means comprising a flexible elastic strap having its ends secured to the top and adapted to overlie the heel portions of the shoes; and said other holding means comprising another flexible elastic strap having its ends secured to the plate and adapted to overlie the vamp portions thereof.

12. Means for flexing a pair of shoes comprising a casing having a top provided with a rectangular opening of width greater than that of a pair of shoes, a plate hinged to the top adjacent one side of the opening and adapted to normally close the opening; a shaft in said casing below the end of the plate opposite from the hinge; a cam on said shaft adapted to contact the underside of the plate and maintain same substantially in the plane of said top; a spring under tension connecting the plate and the bottom of the casing for yieldably depressing the plate; a motor, a speed reducing mechanism driven by said motor; drive means connecting the speed reducing mechanism with the shaft for rotating the shaft, whereby the cam will pivot the plate upwardly with respect to the top; means for holding a pair of shoes at the heel portion thereof firmly down on the top, and other means for holding the vamp portion of the shoes firmly down onto said plate during rotation of the shaft.

13. In means as set forth in claim 12, a hood on said top under which the cam is adapted to pass during its rotation.

14. In means as set forth in claim 12, a rubbing strip on the bottom of the plate in way of the cam.

15. In means as set forth in claim 12, said holding means comprising a flexible elastic strap having its ends secured to the top and adapted to overlie the heel portions of the shoes; and said other holding means comprising another flexible elastic strap having its ends secured to the plate and adapted to overlie the vamp portions thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 588,703 Learoyd Aug. 24, 1897 1,015,292 Byrnes Jan. 23, 1912 2,464,969 Faber et a1. Mar. 22, 1949 

